North Korea test-fires ‘new’ air defence missiles, says state media amid tensions after firing at border

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the test-firing of two “new” air defence missiles, state media reported on Sunday, a day after Pyongyang accused Seoul of raising tensions at the border.

The launches, carried out on Saturday, showed the “improved” missile systems had “superior combat capability”, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The agency gave no details about the missiles or the test site, saying only that their “operation and reaction mode is based on unique and special technology”.

“The firing particularly proved that the technological features of two types of projectiles are very suitable for destroying various aerial targets,” KCNA said.

The report added that Kim had also set an “important task” for the defence science sector ahead of a key party meeting.

Tensions at the border remain high. On Tuesday, several North Korean soldiers briefly crossed the heavily fortified frontier, prompting South Korea’s military to fire warning shots.

According to UN Command, around 30 North Korean troops were involved, Yonhap news agency said.

Pyongyang denounced the incident as a “premeditated and deliberate provocation”. Army Lieutenant General Ko Jong Chol warned, “This is a very serious prelude that would inevitably drive the situation in the southern border area where a huge number of forces are stationing in confrontation with each other to the uncontrollable phase.”

South Korea’s new president, Lee Jae Myung, has pledged to build “military trust” and improve ties with the North, but Pyongyang insists it has no interest in better relations.

The missile tests also coincided with large-scale joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States. North Korea, which invaded its neighbour in 1950 and triggered the Korean War, has long condemned such drills as rehearsals for invasion.